Kristen Reynolds, CEO of Choose Chicago, joins us to discuss the city’s latest honor from Condé Nast Traveler and how it’s driving tourism and economic growth.

Chicago

Chicago has been named the best big city in the United States for the ninth consecutive year by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. The recognition, based on votes from over 750,000 readers, highlights the city's appeal in areas such as arts, culture, dining, and architecture.

Tourism officials note that this accolade reflects the reality of Chicago’s vibrant offerings, despite differing perceptions on social media. The city has experienced a record-breaking summer for tourism, with major events like the marathon and fashion week contributing to high demand for hotels and restaurants.

Chicago named best big city in the U.S. for 9th year

All right, welcome back everyone. It is Orange Friday as we give you a live look outside We know we have a ton as in thousands of runners who have come in and we're seeing some of you down there Enjoying the bean while you're here for the Chicago Marathon. Enjoy it all the whole experience Taking the city and the miles, of course All right from cutting-edge restaurants to world-class architecture Chicago has been named the best big city in the country for the ninth year in a row by the Condé Nast travelers Reader's Choice Award So joining us to talk more about the impact of this huge milestone and what it means for tourism in our city Kristen Reynolds the president and CEO of Chief Chicago. Thanks for coming back. Thanks for having me It's great having you here great to get this recognition for our city. What does it mean? It means a lot especially today and what we're going through I mean we always love this recognition because you know We love the competition between our other big cities and it's important people to understand that Chicago has so much to offer We know as residents and locals and the people that visit and experience it know what we're here for but sometimes what people are seeing today and the you know on social media and on their feeds is not the reality of what we are as a city and this really solidifies and Crystallizes that we are the best big city United States and we have nothing to apologize for. Yeah, it's free positive press It's wonderful and it really validates what we know again as Chicagoans as far as what we have at arts and culture All of our neighborhoods are incredible attractions Our city glistens and sparkles right on the waterfront and it's something we can all be proud of. Absolutely Okay, so how does it boost then? Tourism in in a real way a driving up the numbers as we move forward. It really does it It's not us saying it as Chicagoans or even as the Tourism Bureau for to Chicago It is a validated third-party Condé Nast travelers one of the most respected travel magazines in the world and it was voted on by readers more than 750,000 people voted so this is not something that you know, you can pay for or your you can advertise This is really what people think about our city and it matters Yeah, and we also saw like a hotel numbers were really good and that just came out It's kind of like back-to-back great press, you know, it really is I mean, we just announced a record-breaking summer record-breaking even pre-pandemic people are loving Chicago and This weekend we were just talking we've got the marathon. It's Chicago fashion week We have so much going on. You cannot get a hotel. You cannot get a reservation at your favorite restaurant and And that's not what people are seeing Nationally and globally so the reality is very different and it's up to us to make sure people know about it Okay now for all of our folks who are in town For the weekend, like you said it might be a little tough if you waited until now to start the planning But what are some things that you think? Somebody who's new or visiting should take in if they're here for this weekend. First of all, there is we're known for our culinary We are the home of the bear right and then and the host in the home of the James Beard Awards So you can't go wrong with our restaurants. I would definitely say try to get into one of our neighborhoods We have 77 neighborhoods and we have so much wonderful culture and culinary there. Of course our museums We have wonderful exhibits. It is fashion week and just get outside and enjoy and when you're doing it Please tag all for the love of Chicago and we'll share your videos on our channel So that the world can know how great Chicago really is and everyone needs to know everyone needs to know Thanks so much for being here again. We appreciate it. Look forward to the next time

Layoffs of federal workers begin as the government shutdown enters Day 10, OMB Director Russ Vought says. Some federal employees received notices Friday telling them they will be laid off in 60 days, CBS News has confirmed. Nancy Cordes has more.

Washington

Federal workers start receiving layoff notices amid shutdown

French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday named Sebastien Lecornu as prime minister, reappointing him after he quit the job earlier this week.

Paris

Macron reappoints Lecornu as French PM days after he quit the job

Officials say a deadly explosion at a military explosives facility in Tennessee killed multiple people, and others remain missing. CBS News' Shanelle Kaul reports.

McEwen

Deadly explosion at military explosives facility in Tennessee

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deployment of National Guard troops anywhere in the state of Illinois. CBS News' Ian Lee reports.

Judge temporarily blocks National Guard deployment to Illinois

The Israeli military has begun withdrawing troops following a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The deal, brokered by the U.S. and Egypt, includes releasing hostages and a plan for Gaza's future governance.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Gaza ceasefire agreement has come into effect, Israeli military says

Venezuelan political opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Stockholm

María Corina Machado wins Nobel Peace Prize

U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to Egypt and Israel this weekend to attend the signing of the Gaza peace agreement, address Israel's parliament and witness the release of hostages.

Trump to visit Middle East for Gaza peace deal signing

New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted on one count of bank fraud and one count of giving false statements. She called the charges baseless and politically motivated, accusing President Donald Trump of using the Justice Department for revenge.

New York

NY Attorney General Letitia James indicted on federal fraud charges

China dramatically expanded its rare earths export controls on Thursday (October 9), adding five new elements and extra scrutiny for semiconductor users as Beijing tightens control over the sector ahead of talks between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping.

Beijing

China tightens rare earth export controls ahead of U.S. talks

A French court on Thursday (October 9) rejected the appeal of a former construction worker found guilty last year of the aggravated rape of Gisele Pelicot, and increased his prison sentence by a year to 10 years, his lawyer said

Sentence increased for man convicted of raping Gisele Pelicot

At least two people have died in a powerful 7.4 earthquake that struck the south east coast of the Philippines on Friday (October 10). Authorities had initially issued evacuation warnings following tsunami threats; however, these have now been lifted.

Davao Oriental

Philippines hit by 7.4 magnitude earthquake, at least two dead

Peru’s Congress has voted to impeach President Dina Boluarte on grounds of moral incapacity, plunging the country into fresh political turmoil after months of unrest.

Quito

Peru's President Dina Boluarte impeached

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government has approved a plan to release all remaining hostages in Gaza. The move is part of President Trump’s peace plan and could bring an end to the two-year conflict in the region.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Israeli government approves framework to release hostages

New York Attorney General Letitia James has been indicted by a grand jury in Alexandria, Virginia. She faces two separate charges, one count of bank fraud and one count of false statements to a financial institution.

Alexandria

Federal grand jury indicts New York AG Letitia James

Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas signed an agreement on Thursday to cease fire and free Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, in the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's initiative to end the two-year war in Gaza.

Trump says Israel hostages to be freed early next week

The U.S. Senate held its seventh round of votes Thursday on Democratic and Republican plans to fund and reopen the government, but once again the bills failed to pass.

Senate votes to reopen government fail again on 9th day of shutdown

The chemistry award is the third 2025 Nobel Prize to be announced this week. Three U.S. scientists won the award in chemistry for creating a new molecular structure.

U.S. scientist trio win Nobel Prize in chemistry

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of wanting to sow "chaos" in Ukraine by launching strikes on his country's energy grid and railway infrastructure, in comments published Thursday.

Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy says Russia aims to sow 'chaos' with energy strikes

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday (October 8) that Hamas has agreed to release hostages and Israel will pull back its troops in Gaza in the "first phase" of a peace deal. CBS News' Debora Patta reports.

Israel and Hamas agree to phase one of peace deal

Russia and China are sending high-level representatives to North Korea for celebrations honoring 80 years of the ruling party. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.

Pyongyang

Russia, China send representatives to North Korea

The Toronto Blue Jays won Game 4 of their American League Division Series matchup against the New York Yankees to advance to the next round of the Major League Baseball playoffs.

Blue Jays defeat Yankees to advance to ALCS

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown has led to major delays and staffing shortages at airports, raising safety concerns. The flight attendants’ union says reduced oversight and overworked crews are putting additional strain on the aviation system.

Aviation less safe during any government shutdown, union warns

Earlier this week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said one of the reasons for staffing shortages at airports is that a growing number of air traffic controllers have been calling in sick. Those controllers don't know when they'll get their next paycheck amid the government shutdown.

Los Angeles International Airport

Why the government shutdown is playing into travel delays

President Trump says he might travel to the Middle East as soon as this weekend as Israel and Hamas continue indirect negotiations to end the war in Gaza. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe has the details.

Cairo

Trump 'may' go to Egypt or Gaza amid Israel-Hamas peace

A 29-year-old Florida man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the deadly Palisades Fire that scorched parts of Los Angeles earlier this year, officials said Wednesday.

Los Angeles

Man arrested for allegedly starting Palisades Fire in California

Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to two counts in federal court on Wednesday (October 8) after being indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice in September.

James Comey pleads not guilty to charges brought by Trump's DOJ

Some air traffic control staffing issues and bad weather are affecting flight delays as the government shutdown enters its eighth day. CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave has more details.

Government shutdown, staffing issues lead to flight delays

Hamas’ lead negotiator says the group needs guarantees of a lasting peace as indirect talks with Israel to reach an agreement over the implementation of the first phase of Trump’s peace plan for Gaza enter the third day.

Sharm El-Sheikh

Hamas says it is ready to reach Gaza deal but needs 'real' guarantees

Sebastien Lecornu to hold two days of talks to try to shore up cross-party support for his collapsed government.

Outgoing French PM launches last bid to quell political crisis

Israel is pressing forward with its attacks across the Gaza Strip. 
Its forces have targeted displaced families in Khan Younis, killing a mother and her children. Several Palestinians have also been killed in a strike on Al Shati refugee camp, in Gaza City.

Breakdown